01/11/2013

Fiscal Cliff Deal Revives the Ever Popular Energy Tax Credit

If your home needs sprucing up, there’s a catch-all $500 tax credit in
the fiscal cliff deal that could help blunt the cost of a remodel.

There was something in the Fiscal Cliff deal for everyone,
some more than others. If you’re feeling the squeeze from the two percent hike
in social security taxes, and would like to get some of that money back, it may
be time to consider a green upgrade to your home. The American Taxpayer Relief Actincludes up to $500 in tax credits for
certain energy-efficient home upgrades. The credit is retroactive to 2012, so
if your project qualifies, you could even get some money back for last year’s
work.

You could get a credit against your tax bill for 10 percent
of the cost of materials for insulation, exterior windows and doors that meet
Energy Star standards, and certain roofing materials (metal roofs with
pigmented coating, or asphalt roofs with cooling granules).

So
if the cost is $5,000, you get the full $500 credit, except for windows, which
have a sublimit of $200. Also eligible towards the $500 maximum credit are:
central air conditioners ($300), heat pumps ($300), furnaces ($150) and even
corn-fueled stoves ($300). A tax credit reduces your tax bill dollar for
dollar, so you’re basically getting $500 towards your remodel of $5,000 or more
courtesy of Uncle Sam. You claim it on Form 5696 when you file your tax return.

One big caveat: the $500 credit is the maximum you can claim
for all energy efficient home improvements since 2006. So, if you’ve already
taken the $500 credit, you can’t take any more. But, if you haven’t used your
credit yet, or haven’t used all of it, you can still let Uncle Sam help pay to
make your home more energy efficient.

While we’re on the subject, don’t forget that until 2016,
homeowners who install solar, geothermal, or wind systems to generate
electricity, or in some cases heat water, are eligible for a tax credit worth
30% of the cost of the system, with no upper dollar limit. There also is a tax
credit for installation of a fuel cell system to generate electricity. That
credit is for up to 30% of the cost, up to $500 per kilowatt of power
generated. This credit is also due to expire in 2016. Learn more about those
credits on the Energy Star
website.